Some serious questions asked about Paul Roos ...

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

People love to hate Bucks but lets be honest, if he was a Demon, we would absolutely love that guy

[grazman 7,436]

I could listen to Buckley for a full episode of 360 and was pleased the Gerard directed much of the conversation at him.

Roos has added nothing to the segment this season other than recalling history in an attempt to deflect and responsibility from his own performance as senior coach.

He's started to clutch out and I'll be very surprised if he doesn't handover to Goodwin for 2016.

Buckley was caught out badly by Robbo last night. Set him up big time when Robbo declared that Darcy Moore reminded him of Jeff Heyward - then pushed Buckley whether he'd seen Jeff Heyward play (He's the fictional FF in David Williamson's 'The Club') Buckley said he'd seen him play - when Robbo asked when, Buckley replied from an old highlights reel... whoops. I can take Robbo or leave him, but Buckley was certainly left red faced last night.

[grazman 7,436]

we were so desperate to get a high profile coach we accepted any deal on the table & didn't give ourselves a out option, very much like the Blight deal Roos was very clear that he never wanted to coach, I'm sure alarm bells were ringing for many when he said l'll stay for 2 maybe 3 years.

3 years out of coaching in modern football is a long time & was a big risk, we have seen nothing on field that couldn't be replicated by any other junior coach, we are stuck with the deal for another year, after that we will start from scratch again, there will be no succession plan Goodwin take over and do it his way, it will be his time his way.

Disagree completely Budge. Why would we be starting again fresh with Goodwin? This is about a succession plan (something the MFC has little experience with), but the transition will have already started and be complete by the end of next year. Goodwin will be taking over the reins more and more as next year roles on - Roos will simply be sitting in the back of the box as Coaching director by Rd 23 2016.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Disagree completely Budge. Why would we be starting again fresh with Goodwin? This is about a succession plan (something the MFC has little experience with), but the transition will have already started and be complete by the end of next year. Goodwin will be taking over the reins more and more as next year roles on - Roos will simply be sitting in the back of the box as Coaching director by Rd 23 2016.

you're right and i feel dead flat thinking about it. goodwin's not the answer. get Ratts

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Roos tenure has been a bust. I think this weekends loss was the lowest point in this period of low points. We hit rock bottom.

That loss means that the last 2 seasons under Roos have been for nought. That footy on Sunday was Neeld'esque. Theres no disputing that. 37 points, IN THE WET, against st kilda

It symbolized that everything the club as tried to do on field since september 2013 was thrown out the window by the players in 2 hours. Now this group is going to be handed over to a coach in waiting who can't even get this midfield group to play as a cohesive unit.

This wasn't just another loss. the manner in which the team lost de-legitimised Roos tenure

[binman 43,138]

I just cannot accept all the Roos criticism.

You can't just fluke a premiership. His Sydney team were famous for their consistency, their adherence to the game plan, their "buy in" to their coach's message and their intensity out on the field. The bloke is a fantastic leader and he knows how to coach.

I also cannot accept the comments from those who suggest he is just a mercenary and doesn't really care about the club. What are they basing this on - his press conferences? Roos is a master at handling the press. He doesn't want to inflame the situation by getting angry and singling out players in public. He is too smart for this. He would do it all behind closed doors and out of the public eye. If you would prefer a coach that rants and raves and brings unwanted publicity then go hire a hothead - for me, I would take Roos' ability to stay measured and level-headed in a press conference every day of the week.

Now that's not to say there haven't been tactical errors. The loose man against Collingwood, the last 41 seconds against St Kilda, overuse of the footy in our defensive half of the ground yesterday...I can accept that there have been tactical errors.

However, as I said after the Essendon game, the reason for our woeful performances is the mental fragility of our players and our overall lack of class. In other words, it's the players. We cannot consistently bring our intensity week-to-week. When we bring it, and match the opposition in the contest and tackles, we can compete with most teams from about 6th down to 18th. We might and probably will lose out on class but if one of those teams is slightly off, like Richmond, Geelong and the Dogs were, we can snatch an upset.

However, when we don't bring it, given our skill/class levels are terribly low, we get shown up by even lowly teams like Essendon and St Kilda. Hawthorn can be off their intensity and still win out on the back of their class. When you are a team devoid of class like us, your attitude and intensity must be 100% to be able to compete.

People criticise our defensive game plan but what difference would an attacking one make. Based on the current skill level of the team, not much at all. We still have chances to score but we kick inaccurately (21.40 the last three weeks). We butcher the inside 50m kick. We start a chain of possession from half back and turn it over. All of this affects our ability to score and it all comes down to skill, not the game plan. Even when we are on top in games, our lack of class means we can't convert the dominance on the scoreboard.

Who currently gives us drive and precision kicking off half back? I can only think of Salem and he's out injured. Who gives us sheer pace and run and carry through the middle? Who nails targets with inside 50 kicks? Who other than a first-year player is a viable marking option inside 50? This is why we struggle to score.

We need players that are both desperate and aggressive and have the requisite level of skill. We simply don't have enough. And we will continue to be a poor footy team until we get them (and the young talent that we have who do display these attributes fully develop).

Spot on. Top post. Our skills are woeful and our turnovers mean many of our attacking forays come back to an exposed defense, a point roos made in his presser. Very hard for a coach to improve skill level.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Its not just skills. Its confidence and ability to play as a team.

No one makes it to AFL level that can't hit a target 2o metres away. Dawes doesn't grubber an inside 50 because he can't kick the footy.

Players don't handball backwards to stationary flat footed targets because of lack of skill.

I acknowledge they are less skillful than other players but it wasn't skill level that killed us on the weekend. It was desire and ability to play together as a team and perhaps a shite game plan

[praha 11,240]

Its not just skills. Its confidence and ability to play as a team.

No one makes it to AFL level that can't hit a target 2o metres away. Dawes doesn't grubber an inside 50 because he can't kick the footy.

Players don't handball backwards to stationary flat footed targets because of lack of skill.

I acknowledge they are less skillful than other players but it wasn't skill level that killed us on the weekend. It was desire and ability to play together as a team and perhaps a shite game plan

Team dynamics or lack thereof have killed the team all year. On paper we have a mid-range squad of talent. But we are probably the worst *team* in the league. Brisbane simply doesn't have the cattle. But at least they play as one.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Team dynamics or lack thereof have killed the team all year. On paper we have a mid-range squad of talent. But we are probably the worst *team* in the league. Brisbane simply doesn't have the cattle. But at least they play as one.

Spot on Praha

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

The list is not that bad. Its bottom-middle table i think . The team is definitely the worst in the comp though. In the metrics of teamwork, work ethic and desire to be good, we rank 18th.

the improvement is there but its been two years now. any reasonable expectation in 2013 would've been that the side would not put in completely dispirited shambles of performances like the last month by the second half of 2014.

We should be looking at win/loss ratios by now yet we are still left wanting for spirited performances. That should be long gone. Half the list has changed. There is something going on that no one seems to be able to put a finger on.

Th players don't shepherd. But how do they "not shepherd" after 2 years of a coach surely telling them to shepherd. Either the coach doesn't believe its necessary, the players are really dumb or they just aren't buying in. It can only be one of those 3 as shepherding does not require advanced motor skills.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Roos has greatly assisted in transforming this club for the better.

His legacy will live on for a long time.

This thread's ridiculous.

[Gorgoroth 12,972]

Our captain has regressed back to his selfish ways of wanting that stupid little handball running behind the player with the ball. Twice he actually ran in front of the player with the ball forcing him to stop as he would have kicked it into Jones.

The problem is in grained and Roos can't break it.

We have stupid, selfish players.

No blocks, they would rather run next to them for the possession stat.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Id give PJ the real kudos to be honest. I have no doubt Roos has improved the culture but its flatlined. PJ has been the one thats transformed off field for sure

[Lucifers Hero 39,973]

Roos has greatly assisted in transforming this club for the better.

His legacy will live on for a long time.

This thread's ridiculous.

With you 110% RB.

Its easy for some on this thread to critcise Roos on 360. But 360 it is a 2 edged sword for him.

On the one hand he gives us and our sponsors much needed exposure and gives supporters a bit more insight into the club.

The flip side is he must dread going on week in and week out to explain the inexplicable - that his team were pathetic. Again!

He can't say they are pathetic, that they are dumb ie lack footy IQ (except Watts), that the leaders go missing etc

When referring to 'the past' he is saying the same stuff posters say on DL: the poor drafting, the dysfunctional club, lack of leadership etc

I don't get why posters are happy to write this themselves but object to the coach saying it.

What do those posters want - A public whipping followed by a public hanging!

An important part of Roos job is to give Goodwin breathing space.

Imagine if he handed over to Goodwin at the end of the year (as some want) and we continue playing like crap.

It would be a Neeld like mauling frenzy by the media.

No thank you!

[drdrake 3,178]

Roos has greatly assisted in transforming this club for the better.

His legacy will live on for a long time.

This thread's ridiculous.

I think you are referring to the club he coached before us. Take his record at Sydney out, if he was a 2 nd year coach we would be calling for his head.

I can't believe we have a bloke dominating the ruck hit outs but the last two weeks we have been smashed in the clearances, this is structure, we are predictable at stoppages particularly Center stoppages, just Palm it backwards right behind you. If you don't get the ball the back side is opened up for a deep inside 50. It's the same spot we have hit the ball for 2 years, every stoppage

[praha 11,240]

Our captain has regressed back to his selfish ways of wanting that stupid little handball running behind the player with the ball. Twice he actually ran in front of the player with the ball forcing him to stop as he would have kicked it into Jones.

The problem is in grained and Roos can't break it.

We have stupid, selfish players.

No blocks, they would rather run next to them for the possession stat.

Jones has always been like this. He's having an off season now without anywhere near as much influence on a match, and it's showing more so now. It's his worst season since 2010. He should have gone to another level now.

Jones isn't selfish, he's just not a particularly smart player. He is held up as a club great but he can hardly crack the top 100 players in the league. Works his arse off and I love him for it but so long as he is in the top pillar of our best players, we will be down the bottom.

Edited July 27, 2015 by praha

[praha 11,240]

Roos has greatly assisted in transforming this club for the better.

His legacy will live on for a long time.

This thread's ridiculous.

Give us a break, Ron. We're all in a glass case of emotion!

[Glenn Molloy 494]

I just cannot accept all the Roos criticism.

You can't just fluke a premiership. His Sydney team were famous for their consistency, their adherence to the game plan, their "buy in" to their coach's message and their intensity out on the field. The bloke is a fantastic leader and he knows how to coach.

I also cannot accept the comments from those who suggest he is just a mercenary and doesn't really care about the club. What are they basing this on - his press conferences? Roos is a master at handling the press. He doesn't want to inflame the situation by getting angry and singling out players in public. He is too smart for this. He would do it all behind closed doors and out of the public eye. If you would prefer a coach that rants and raves and brings unwanted publicity then go hire a hothead - for me, I would take Roos' ability to stay measured and level-headed in a press conference every day of the week.

Now that's not to say there haven't been tactical errors. The loose man against Collingwood, the last 41 seconds against St Kilda, overuse of the footy in our defensive half of the ground yesterday...I can accept that there have been tactical errors.

However, as I said after the Essendon game, the reason for our woeful performances is the mental fragility of our players and our overall lack of class. In other words, it's the players. We cannot consistently bring our intensity week-to-week. When we bring it, and match the opposition in the contest and tackles, we can compete with most teams from about 6th down to 18th. We might and probably will lose out on class but if one of those teams is slightly off, like Richmond, Geelong and the Dogs were, we can snatch an upset.

However, when we don't bring it, given our skill/class levels are terribly low, we get shown up by even lowly teams like Essendon and St Kilda. Hawthorn can be off their intensity and still win out on the back of their class. When you are a team devoid of class like us, your attitude and intensity must be 100% to be able to compete.

People criticise our defensive game plan but what difference would an attacking one make. Based on the current skill level of the team, not much at all. We still have chances to score but we kick inaccurately (21.40 the last three weeks). We butcher the inside 50m kick. We start a chain of possession from half back and turn it over. All of this affects our ability to score and it all comes down to skill, not the game plan. Even when we are on top in games, our lack of class means we can't convert the dominance on the scoreboard.

Who currently gives us drive and precision kicking off half back? I can only think of Salem and he's out injured. Who gives us sheer pace and run and carry through the middle? Who nails targets with inside 50 kicks? Who other than a first-year player is a viable marking option inside 50? This is why we struggle to score.

We need players that are both desperate and aggressive and have the requisite level of skill. We simply don't have enough. And we will continue to be a poor footy team until we get them (and the young talent that we have who do display these attributes fully develop).

Post of the year Scoop, absolutely spot on.

[McQueen 17,865]

Buckley was caught out badly by Robbo last night. Set him up big time when Robbo declared that Darcy Moore reminded him of Jeff Heyward - then pushed Buckley whether he'd seen Jeff Heyward play (He's the fictional FF in David Williamson's 'The Club') Buckley said he'd seen him play - when Robbo asked when, Buckley replied from an old highlights reel... whoops. I can take Robbo or leave him, but Buckley was certainly left red faced last night.

I caught that too... I was thinking wtf is this Geoff Hayward chap??

Shows where Robinsons mind is at during the show.

[Captain_Jack 88]

If Roos can turn this around I'll be the first to congratulate him and the coaching group on the job well done.

The problem is, every indication is that we are going backwards, falling back into old habits, and Roos talks about it like it's unfair that the finger be pointed at him, like it's somehow not related to his role... No coach in the history of the game has ever accepted a bigger pay packet. You took the Messiah's price tag, you accepted the Messiah's adulation and now you have to live with the scrutiny of massively under delivering.

You can't preach accountability and responsibility to the playing group and then not demonstrate any yourself. Just once I'd like to hear Roos say, I came into this job with my eyes wide open, I knew what I was getting into and what I had to work with, I have under delivered to this point but the players and supporters can rely on me, as the senior coach to remain 100% committed to achieving what we as a collective, set out to do.

Roos was asked the question on 360 last night, "do you want to coach this team next year?" He cut up rough and avoided answering it. At the very least, he owed long suffering supporters a direct answer to a very simple question. Once again, he treated supporters with the contempt that has become all too common.

[71 Molloy 266]

We should just sack him and move onto the next messiah.........

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Roos tenure has been a bust. I think this weekends loss was the lowest point in this period of low points. We hit rock bottom.

That loss means that the last 2 seasons under Roos have been for nought. That footy on Sunday was Neeld'esque. Theres no disputing that. 37 points, IN THE WET, against st kilda

It symbolized that everything the club as tried to do on field since september 2013 was thrown out the window by the players in 2 hours. Now this group is going to be handed over to a coach in waiting who can't even get this midfield group to play as a cohesive unit.

This wasn't just another loss. the manner in which the team lost de-legitimised Roos tenure

LOL you wouldn't want to over-dramatise would you

It was a game of footy, not 9/11

Utter garbage mate

[jumbo returns 6,741]

We should just sack him and move onto the next messiah.........

Agree - and allow the players to put in [censored] weak performances, get massive coin for doing so and call themselves AFL players.

[Slartibartfast 17,336]

Do you think stoppages might become more of the norm next year BB if the AFL scrap the sub and cap the interchange at 80-100?

I'm in no position to judge Graz, but Eade does. Recently I've read Eade's comments after Saturday's game, seen Buckley and Roos on TV last night and listened to one of our footy department people talk about this issue at a function last week.

The things that seem to come out of this is that coaches coach first and foremost to stop the opposition scoring goals. They slow the game down at every opportunity to aide this and they train their players to hold the ball in when tackled and force stoppages when not in control of the footy so they can "reset".

As a spectator the coaches objectives are the antithesis of what I want to see. As a supporter I want to win which is obviously the same objective as the coach.

On 360 last night Roos asked the question "what do we want our game to look like?". I know blokes who think the 2005 GF was the best game ever - hard, tough, great contest. I thought the only thing that saved it was the atmosphere of the GF itself and the closeness of the scores. It was a boring game. Give me the showdown in Adelaide last week anytime.

I get the feeling that as the AFL try to speed the game up the coaches will come up with ways to slow it down. Zones are an obvious way of trying to do beat the coaches but I don't think people want them. I don't. Clarkeson says we need to apply the rules more actively but Buckley says the rules are so complicated as to be almost unenforceable.

There are better minds than mine around to try and sort it out but from where I sit being a spectator is approaching an all time low and of course being an MFC supporter has been the worst gig in the competition for decades.

[SaberFang 7,151]

I have no doubt Roos is spending more time as a player psychologist than a coach at this club. Never forget how bad the basket case he inherited was.

You have to feel for the guy. He would be asking himself the same questions we are. Why aren't the players giving consistent effort? Why do they go into their shells the moment it looks like another loss is on the cards? Why do they expect to lose against the best teams and not bother showing up? Why do they pick and choose what matches they'll show up for?

It would be all the more baffling looking at the Saints and Bulldogs, both following up a year of turmoil and darkness with some amazing over-achievement.